This past Sunday, I completed my ninth marathon in New York City.  It was hard. My GPS watch wasn’t able to get a signal from the lower level of the Verrazano Bridge (my starting corral was assigned the bottom level) so for nearly the first two miles I didn’t know my pace. Consequently, I ended up starting faster than I should have, which in a Marathon means you finish slower than you wished.  There is a business and life lesson in here.  Biz Stone, one of the founders of the original Twitter says this: “Timing, perseverance and ten years of trying will eventually make you look like an overnight success”.  That’s true for anything that has a long “run” to it.  But, it is the timing and perseverance that can have us finish our race strong and well.

Paul knew a thing about perseverance and what it takes to run the long race well.  He also knew and reminds us that if we press on the prize we receive is eternal.  I know the feeling of giving it my all in a Marathon and the elation of that medal being draped around my neck.  I can only imagine what that will feel like when the prize is heavenly.  It is worth it, for us to press on today!

Reference: Philippians 3:14 (New Living Translation)